Everett To Reconsider DADs In R-1 Zones

Last night the Everett Planning Commission voted to take another look at Detached Accessory Dwelling Units inside R-1 zones in Everett. The city studied allowing the units, (commonly known as in-law apartments or cottages) six years ago but dropped the idea just before a council vote.

Recently a north Everett resident asked the city to take another look at the idea. He wants to build a detached accessory unit for a family member and says an attached unit would take away from the historical character of his 1901 home.

Currently Everett does allow attached units with several restrictions. One worry in allowing detached units in an R-1 zone is that may change the character of the neighborhood away from single family home to multi-family.

There are also a number of other questions including whether one or both of the units on the property be occupied by a property owner? Can the accessory unit be taller than the main property? Can the accessory unit be located in front of the main unit? You can see many of the questions to be considered here in the briefing papers provided to the planning commission.

The commission did express a desire to look over the former studies from 2009 – 2010 to avoid spending a lot of time going over ground that has already been covered. It will likely be months before any decision is made and that would then be followed by a review and vote of the city council.